OMAHA, Neb. (NEWSnet/AP) — An explosion inside a shipping container at the world's largest rail yard prompted evacuation Thursday in Nebraska because of the toxic smoke generated when one of the chemicals aboard caught fire.
Around noon, an explosion occurred inside an intermodal container on a rail car at Union Pacific's Bailey Yard in North Platte. It isn’t clear what caused the explosion, railroad spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said. No one was injured, and no cars derailed.
Everyone within a four-mile radius of the yard was cleared from the area, which is about 280 miles west of Omaha. U.S. Highway 30 was closed between North Platte and Hershey. Interstate 80 wasn't affected by the smoke.
Around 1:30 p.m., North Platte Fire Department said the fire had been contained. The department said evacuations was conducted because of “heavy toxic smoke.”
One of the containers involved was carrying perchloric acid, which is used in explosives and a variety of food and drug products, Tysver said.
Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.